An amazingly talented 18th-century charlatan, on the level of Cagliostro and St. Germain. Perhaps today he could make a living as a reality TV show host.
It was way too much to go into but one of the ways he was caught on to was the evil Jesuits asked him to translate something into his language, then they asked him it translate it back to Latin and of course he couldn't. But because no one trusted the Jesuits it was overlooked by most.
Thanks for liking it. One thing I didn't mention (because this story got so complicated) was that George P. did have a lot of Latin education and that was what allowed him to rove around Europe and speak to others who spoke Latin. Until around 1700 all educated people spoke Latin. It made no difference that George P's pretend language could not be understood by others because he was fluent in Latin. do you think it would be interesting to write about Latin as the universal language? it was printing that started use of the vernaculars big time. And of course later French became the language of educated people.
I remember watching the 1994 movie Princess Caraboo about a young working class English woman who pretended to be an exotic princess complete with a fake language and exotic costume. You can watch it for free on YouTube. It is based on a real woman in . early 19th century England.
An amazingly talented 18th-century charlatan, on the level of Cagliostro and St. Germain. Perhaps today he could make a living as a reality TV show host.
It was way too much to go into but one of the ways he was caught on to was the evil Jesuits asked him to translate something into his language, then they asked him it translate it back to Latin and of course he couldn't. But because no one trusted the Jesuits it was overlooked by most.
This guy rules
George Santos is a piker compared to this George.
Fascinating story! Thank you!
Thanks for liking it. One thing I didn't mention (because this story got so complicated) was that George P. did have a lot of Latin education and that was what allowed him to rove around Europe and speak to others who spoke Latin. Until around 1700 all educated people spoke Latin. It made no difference that George P's pretend language could not be understood by others because he was fluent in Latin. do you think it would be interesting to write about Latin as the universal language? it was printing that started use of the vernaculars big time. And of course later French became the language of educated people.
That's what I love about Substack, all the great articles!
Do you know about the Voynich Manuscript which is a real-life medieval mystery! It's written in an unknown Language that no one can parse at all.
Cryptologists and linguists have been puzzling over it for centuries.
It's full of truly strange Illustrations of: fantastical plants, celestial bodies, and even naked figures bathing in strange pools!
The book's origins are unclear. It first appeared in the 16th century, but its creation date is estimated to be earlier, possibly the 15th century.
As you may be able to discern, I am a big Charles Fort fan. Another mysterious figure!
Too funny. You can't make this stuff up.
I thought so, too but when I was looking around to write this turns out there are more of these characters than we know. (or I knew).
I remember watching the 1994 movie Princess Caraboo about a young working class English woman who pretended to be an exotic princess complete with a fake language and exotic costume. You can watch it for free on YouTube. It is based on a real woman in . early 19th century England.
St. Biden is also a good fabulist ;-))